Plaiting device



March 24, 1931;

M. HAMILTON ET AL 1,797,340

PLAITING DEVICE Filed Sept. 18, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .1. zz j 29 March 2 1931- M. HAMILTON ET AL 1,797,340

PLAITING DEVICE Filed Sept. 18, 1928 2 Sheets-Shem: 2

v 36 "air-1 f1 i provided tor pressing V 1 of the'two parts of the device in their oper- Patented Mar. 24, 1931 F CE MAR-yiHAMiLron nn GERALD Jorm' summon, orronnoinenetenn r PLAITING DEVICE Appea -110mm Se t mb -1s, 1928, Serial No. 306,683, and in Great Britain A e-1 26, 192s.

'Thisinvention consists in improvements in or relating. to plai-ting devices, andhas for its object to provide a device whereby aplait or plaits can be produced'and pressed down intextile inaterial, or the like by relative movement between the device and the material in the direction of the lengths of the plaits.

- f The present invention accordingly C0111- prises, in combination, two parts which are to be applied respectively to opposite sides of the material and which co-operate to- I gether to aflordfor each plait a slot, and a guide or guides to engage the material and to press it into the slot to produce first an upstanding told of material and then to over: turn that told on' or towards the surface of the material, whereafter the fold' can be pressed into 'a flat plait. Preferably, means is the foldatter it has been'over-turned. I p

' In" one preferred form of the invention, the means to form a fold of material is constituted by grooved rollers on both parts of the deviceiihe rollers are conveniently so disposed as to traverse the material one in advance of the other so that an' annular rib' on one *rollerenters a groove in, the companion roller. In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, two preferred-examples otthe invention will-now be described with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which- I I Figure 1, is a 'p'lan,lookin-g from above,

ative relationship V p I V v Figure 2 is a central elevation on "the line 2-2 of Figure 3.; V 1

on Figure 3 is an under planlview;

, Figure 4 is a perspective viewof a guiding element of the device;

I Figure 5 is a View, similar to Figure 1, of

a modified construction; I

Figure dis a section onthe line6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an under plan-view of the r device illustrated in Figures 5sand 6;

e0 Figure 81's a perspective view of a guid is oonstituted'mainly of :sheet material bent ing element for the modification illustrated inffiiguresifihnd 7,and v v p p JFiguremQ is a view, similar to Figure 8, of a guiding element designed to produoeia box-plaid? I I I e Lilre reference numerals indicate like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Referring first of all I to the construction illustratedin Figures l-to 4, the two portions of the device are indicated generally by the reference numerals l0 and 11, the portionlO being the upper portionand the portion 11 beingthe lower portion. In the upper portion there is a :groovedroller 12 presenting several relatively deepgrooves, 'andin lower portion 11 there is a similar roller 13, the ribs or fiangesof which will passinto the grooves of the roller 12. The material to be 'plaited passes betweenthe two rollers,

that is-tosay, the portionll is placed be. neath the materialand the vportion 10 above the material, andthe portions ofthe material will then. be forcedinto the grooves by the in-terengagement of the tworollers. The upper. roller will have as many channels or 1 grooves as itis desiredtliere shall be plaits produced simultaneously The: roller mounted to rotate in brackets 14 depending as lugs from the frame of the part 10, which into the formsh'own in the drawings. Part of the frame comprises aiflat presser-plate '15 Which-,in theexample illustrated, is adapted to receive the'nose of. a flatdron 150 or like device".g-'lhe portion 10 is constitutedby two parts; one of which comprises the presser portion 15 and an upstanding end 'portionlfi, and the other portion-11 comprises a forwardly extending part; 171 (the use of which will be described later) aitrans, versely-disposed portion l-8,and a slotted guide portion 1:9. "Thetwo parts are connected together by nuts and bolts or screws, such as 200., by which theabntting portions 16 and 18 are clampedtogether. The guide portion 19, the .for'm of whichis shown clearly in Figures 2and 3, :aifordsa plurality of V spaced forwardly-extending guide elements or tongues, leach adapted to enter a fold" of the material. Behind the guide tongues '19 of the material .as they turning slots 21.

there is a plate 20, shown in detail in Figure 4. The plate is formed with a number of saw-gates or slots 21 which are inclined transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the device and into which folds of the material are led by means of the guides 19. The folds are upstanding folds as they leave the guides 19 and by their passage through the slots 21, the folds are each turned over towards the surface of the material owing to the inclination of the slots: The folds thus overturned will be passed beneath the presser-plate 15. Any late such as the plate 20, having slots opening in an edge'of the plate, will be referred to herein as a sawgated member. i a

In the companion portion 11, which is intended normally to be beneath the material, the roller 13 is borne in upstandinglugs22 projecting from a flat base portion 23. At its trailing edge, the latter is formed as, or has secured to it, a number of tongues 24:, each of which projects into a groove in the roller. 12. These tongues terminate just short "of the guiding tongues19 and aid the latter in maintaining and guiding the folds I are led to the over- .In order to position the two portions 10 and 11 of the device relatively to one another while they are in'operation, the forward extension 17 of the upper portion 10 is. provided at its front end with an overhanging lip 25 which not only overhangs and engages an abutment such as the nose of the under part, but it is also so shaped as to guide and assist in tensioning the material as it is led between the two portions of the device.

The slotted plate 21-is;held in position between the portion 26 of the sheet of mate rial from which the presser surface 15 extends and spring tongues 27 formed by cut ting and bending the material at the margins of the portion 26. The plate 20 is, therefore,

readily removable and may be replaced by a plate having 'slots of other form, or the'plate 20 may be reversed in position so asto overturn the plaits in the opposite direction.

The modification described in Figures 5 to 8 is in the main similar to thatjalready described. The principal difference consists in the fact that the tongues 19 and the'fingers between the slots in the plate 20 are now formed in one piece by means of a slotted angle-plate illustratedindetail in Figure An upstanding margin 30 of this plate is adapted to be inserted between the transverse wall 16 of the upper portion 11 and one or more leaf-springs 31 secured to'and depending from the upper wall 17'. 4

The angled portion of the plate comprises a forwardly-directed sloping portion 32 .in

which there are formed slots 33 whose centre lines extend. longitudinally of the plaiting device; that is to say, planescontaining these two parts of the device.

centre lines are parallel or coincident with planes passing through the middle of the grooves in the roller 12. The other surface 32L of the angled portion of the plate is formed with inclined slots 35 comprising continuations of the slots 33 and corresponding to the slots 21 of the plate 20.

Whereas in the first described example overhanging and rearwardly-extending arms 29 are provided for engaging the fiat-iron 150, the present example comprises two arms 36 hinged about a stud 37 to adjust the distance between them. The arms 36 are intended also to engage over the flat iron and at their forward extensions the arms are slotted to engage a stud 38. After they have been adjusted the arms are clamped inposition by means of a nut 39 which screws down on to the stud 38.

It will be appreciated that the numbers of the grooves in'the rollers 12 and 13 may be varied to suit the requirements of the plaiting attachment, and a corresponding number of slots in the plate such as 20'or its equivalent, and a corresponding number of guide tongues on the two parts will be provided. In one extreme construction the rollers and slotsmay be so arranged as to produce only one plait at .a time.

Means may be provided, althou h not shown in the example illustrated, or enabling the degree of meshing between the rollers of the two parts to be adjusted to form folds of material of a greater or lesser depth and thus to form narrower or wider plaits.

It is not necessary to employ rollers as the two interengaging grooved members on the For instance, a grooved plate on one part could have the material pressed into it by means of tongues or fingers or projections from another grooved plate on the other part; or a grooved plate or aplurality of tongues on one part could be employed in co-operation with a grooved roller on the other part.

Again, instead of employing a separate flat iron to which the device is to be used as an attachment, a heating element can be included in either or both of the parts of the device, preferably in the portion 11, and a handle attached to the latter part will then enable the device to be employed as an ironing and plaiting unit. 5

When the device is formed in the manner specifically described above, the nose of the iron pressing the upper part, or the upper Forinstance, the device could be held in length by being drawn from a roll or supply of material onto a winding roller, power beingprovidedin'anyusual manner.

As afurther alternative the device-can be mounted on --guides so that itais positively guided relatively with respect to the -.maierial. I j I V 7' The twovparts of the apparatus could be detachably connectedwith one another in a'inore positivemanner by means of side links for'example, provided that the dimen sion between the side links" is sufiiciently great to take inthe width of the material.

I .The rollers or grooved plates and guide fingers and overturning slots can be made .up as replacablennits so that when it is ole-- sired to form zplaits of different dimensions orin' different- ;numbers, the required roller or plate-and guide fingers and overturning slots can-be selected accordingly.

. Several elements forming part of the apparatus might be independently replaceable o1 replaceable in a unitary assembled condition.

p In Figure 97a" modification is illustrated of a guide-plate similar to that of Figure 8. In

thisrform the inclined portions of the slots .are,oppositely'inclined on thetwo halves of the plate so that the plaits on one half of the ing in combination two parts which are robe applied respectively:to opposite sides of the material, co -operating. channelled rollers one ineach part whereofan annular rib onone rollenisadapted to enter a channel in'the companion "roller, a guide to maintain a fold of the material in the channel-of said latter roller, and means thereafter to overturn the upstanding fold ofmaterial so formed duringtheysaid relative'movement. i

' v 2 A deviceifor producing plaits in textile v material by "relative movement between the i a device and. the material the direction of the lengths of the plaits said devicecomprisling in combination two-parts which aretobe applied respectively to opposite sides off the material, a channelled roller in each part which rollers are so disposed to traversethe material one inadvance of the othervvith an annular rib of one roller entering a'channel on the companion roller, 21 slotted guideplete trailing 'the rearmost roller and having-fer each plait a slot to receive the fold otinaterial that is pressed up into the channelin the rollerand to overtur nsaid foldas the device I is traversed over the material. I

3. A device for producing plaits in textile material by: relative move-ment'between the device andthe materialin the direction of the lengths of the plaits, said devicecomprisin'g incombination two parts which are to be applied respectively to opposite sides of the material, channelled roller in each part,

which rollers are so disposed as to traverse v the material onein advance ofthe other with 'anannular rib of one roller entering a channel of the 'companion'roller, a slotted guideplatetrailin'g the rearmost roller and having for each *plait as'l'ot toreceive the fold of ma teriai' that is messed up into the channel in v the rollerand tooverturn said told as the dev ceis traversed" over the material and a guide-finger entering the groove in the rearmost rollerto maintain the fold of material therein and to leaditinto the guide-slot. F v 4. Adevice'forproducing plaits in textile'inaterial by relative movement between V e the device and the material in the direction of theilengths of the plaits, said: device com prising two parts whichare tobe applied respectively to opposite sides of the material, one of said parts comprising'a channelled roller and" for each plaite'an overturning guide-slot, and theoth'er part comprising a channellecl roller and for each plait a guidefingertoenter the roller, for the purpose described.

A device for producing'plaitsin textile material by relative movement between the device and the materialflin thedi rection of the lengths of the} plaitsjsaid device comp1'is*- ingincoriibinuton twoparts which are to he applied respectively to opposite sides 'of the material, cooperating channelled rollers, one 1n each part, whereof anannular rib on one P01161118 adaptedto enter a channel in a, c0mpanionrollers a guideto maintain affoldoff material inthe channel on said roller and a removable. savv gated guide-member which has saw-gates that are inclined across the line of relative movement and into which." the folds of material are led and by which they are overturned. i

6.. A device foripri d i a u in l a ria ity relative movement between the device and'the material in the direction of the length of; the plait, said device comprising inw-comhination two parts which are to he -applied respectively to opposite sides oove of the companion Hit) of the -m-aterial and which" together alford to press it into the; slot towproduce during "the said relative movement first an :upstand- 5 ing fold ct -material, then to overturn thatfold onto or'towards thefisurface of the mathat overhangs .anrabutment at the forward end of the under partand is sosh'aped as to a slot and a guide to engage the'material and terial, and anextensien from the upper part guide and assist in tensioning the material as it is led between the two parts. a I a 7 A device for producing plaits in textile material by relative movement between the device and the material in the direction of the lengths of the plaits, said device comprising in combination two parts whereof the under one comprises a channelled roller and rearwardly-extending guide tongues in line with channels on a roller in the companion part and the companion part comprises a channelled roller, a pressing surface in rear of said roller and a slotted guide element interposed between the roller and the pressing surface, whereof the leading portions of the slots presentvertically-disposed-guide walls in line with the ribs on the rollerand the rear portions of the slots are inclined in a transverse plane across the line of relative movement.

8. A device for producing plaits in textile material by relative movement between the device and the materialin the direction of'the lengths of the plaits, said device comprising in combination two. parts whereof the under one comprises a channelledroller and rearwardly-extending guide tongues in line with channels on a roller in the com panion part, and the companion part comprises a channelled roller, a pressing surface in rear of said roller and a slotted guide element interposed: between the roller and the pressing surface, whereof the leading portions of the slots present vertically-disposed guide-walls in line with the ribs of the roller and these portions of the slots are mclined in a transverse plane .acrossthe line of relative movement, that portion atlleast' of the guide-element containing the inclined slots being detachably secured in positlon.

9. A device for producing plaits 1n textile material by relative movement between the device and the material in the direction of the lengths of the plaits, said device comprising in combination two parts whereof the under one comprises a channelled roller and rearwardly-extending guide tongues in line with the channels on a roller in the companion part and the companion part comprises a channelled roller, a pressing surface in rear of said roller, and between the roller and pressing surface there are forwardly-extending tongues in line with and ad acent the ribs on the roller and behind the tongues a slotted guide-member whereof the slots are inclined across the line of relative movement.

10. A device for producing plaits in textile material by relative movement between the device and the material in the direction of the lengths of the plaits, said device comprising in combination two parts whereof the under part comprises a sheet metal casing in which is supported a channelled roller and guidetongues disposed in rear of said roller and in line with channels on a roller in the'comthe interposed material.

panion part, and the companion part com- 'across the line of said relative movement and constitute continuations of the spaces between the forwardly-extending guidetongues, and a pressing surface said inclined slots.

11. A device forproducing plaits in textile material by relative movement between the device and the material in the direction of the lengths of the plaits, said devicecomprising in combination two parts whereof the under part comprises a sheet metal casing in which is supportedachannelled roller and guide-tongues disposed in rear of said roller and in line with channels on a rollerin the companion part, and 'the companion part comprises a sheet metal casing in which is supported a channelled roller whereof the ribs enter channels in the first-named roller, forwardly-extending guide-tongues adjacent the ribs of the second-mentioned roller. aguide-member having in it slots that are inclined across the line of said relative movement and constitute continuations of the spaces between the forwardly-extending guide-tongues, a pressing surface in rear of said inclined slots, and anextension from the casing of the said companion part that pro ects forwardly to overhang an abut- 'ment at the forward end of the first-named part and is so shaped as to guide and assist in the tensiomng of the material as it is led between the two parts.

12. A device for producing plaits in textile material by relative movement between the devlce and the material in the direction of the lengths of the plaits, said device comprising in combination two independent parts which have no 'mechanical connection with' each other, and which are to be applied respectivelv to opposite sides of the material, cooperating channelled rollers one in each part whereof an annular rib on one roller is adapted to enter a channel in the companion roller, a guide to maintain a fold of the mate- .rial in the channel of said latter roller, and

means thereafter to overturn the upstanding fold of material so formed during the said relative movement, movement of one part relative to the material being produced by the pressure of the other part acting on it through V 13. A device for producing plaits in t-eX- tile material by relative movement between the device and the material in the direction of the lengths of the PlflltS,'SH.lCl device comprising in combination two independent parts which have no mechanical connection with in rear of A each other and-which are tobe applied respectively to oppositesidesof the material, a channelled roller ineach part which rollers are so: disposed as to traverse the 'material.

one in advance of the other with an annular rib of one: roller enteringa channel on the companion roller; a slotted guideplat-e trailing the rearmost roller and having for-each plait'a slot to receive the fold of material that is pressed up into the channel in the roller and to overturn said fold as the device is traversedover the material, movement of onepart relative to the material being produced by the, pressure of the other part actingonit through the interposed material.

. 14, A device for producing plaits in textile material by relative movement between the. device and the material in the direction of the lengths of the plaits, said device comprising in combination two independent parts which have no mechanical connection with each other and which are to be applied respectivelyv to opposite sides of the material, a channelled roller in each part, which rollers are so disposed as to traverse the material one in advance of the other with an annular rib of one roller entering a channel of the companion roller, a slotted guide-plate trailing the rearmostroller and having for each plait a slot to receive the fold ofmaterial that is, pressed. up into the channel in the roller and to overturn said told as the device istrav- .ersed over the material and a guide-finger entering the groove in the rearmost roller to maintain the fold of material thereinand to lead it into the guide-slot, movement of onepart relative to the material being produced by the pressure of the other part acting on it through the interposed material.

'15. A device for. producing plaits intex- .otherxpart comprising, a channelled roller and for -each plait a guide-finger toenter the. groove" otthe companion roller, for the purpose'described, movement of one part relative tothe material being produced bythe pressure of the other part acting on it throughtheinterposed material.

16, Adeviee for producing ,plaitsin textilema-terial by relative movement; between the deviceand the material in the direction of the lengthof the plaits, said device com-.

prising; in. combination .two independent parts which have no mechanical connection with. each other which are to be applied respectively'to opposite sides of thematerial,

and which'together afford for each plait a removable saw-gated guide member in which the sawegates are inclined acrossthe' lineof relative movement, for the purpose described, movement of one part relative to the material being produced by the pressure of the other teriajl; v

17. A device forproducing plaitsin tex tile material by; relative movement between ,7 the device and the material in the direction oi the lengthsot the plaits', said device compris mg in combination two independent parts;

which have no mechanical connection with each other and which are to. be applied respec-, tively to. opposite sides of the material, co-' operating channelled rollers, one in each part, whereofan annular rib. on one roller is adaptedto enterachannel in a companion.

roller, a guide to; maintain a fold of material in the channel onsaid roller and a remov-- able saw-gated guide-member which has saw-gates thatare inclined across the line of relative movement and into which the folds of material are led and by which they are overturned, movement of-oneupart relative to the material being produced by the pressure of the other part acting-on it through theinterposed material.

18. A device forproducinga plait infteiztile material by relative movement between the device and the material, in the c direction of the length of the plait, said device comprising in combination two independent parts which have no mechanical connection with each other which are to be. applied respectively to opposite sides of the material, and which together afiordfor each pl'ait. a slot in. which an upstanding fold of materialis produced and a removable. saw-gated guide-member which has saw-gates. that are inclined across the line ofgrelativemovement and intowhich the upstanding told is ledand by which'it is overturned during said relative movement; movement of onepart relative to the material being produced by, the pressure of the other part acting on it. through the interposed material. p a 19. A device for producing plai ts. in tex tile material by relative movement between.

the device and the material in the direction of. the lengths of the plaits, said device comprising combination f two independent parts @which have no mechanicalconnection with each other andgwhich are to be. applied respectively tooppositesides of the material, cooperating channelled rollers, one: in each part, whereofan annular rib onone roller isyadaptedxto. enter a channel inthe companion roller, a guide to maintain a fold of material in the channel in said. latter. roller, and aremovable. saw-gated guide-member which has saw-gates that are inclined across the line of relative movementand which received the folds: of material .and overturn them during said relative movement,"n1'ovepart acting on t through the-interposed ma-' ment of one part relative to the material being produced by the pressure of the other part acting on it through V the interposed material.

20. A device for producing a plait in textile material by relative movement between the device and the material in the direction of the length of the plait, said device comprising incombination two independent parts which have no mechanical connection with each other which are to be applied'respectively to opposite sides of the material and which together afford a slot and a guide to engage the material and to press it into the slot to produce during the said relative movement first an upstanding fold of material, then to overturn that'fold on to or towards the surface of the material, and an extension from the upper part that overhangs an abutment at the forward end of the under part and is so shaped as to guide and assist in tensioning the material as it is led between the two parts, movement of one part relative to the material being produced by the pressure of the other part acting on it through the interposed material.

' 21. A device for producing plaits in textile material by relative movement between the device and the material in the direction of the lengths of the plaits, said device comprising incombination two independent parts which have" no mechanical connection with each other, whereof the under one comprises a channelled roller and rearwardly-extending guide tongues in line with channels on a roll er in the companion part, and the companion part comprises a channellel roller, a pressing surface in rear of said roller and a slotted guide element interposed between the roller and the pressing surface, whereof the lead ing portions of the slots present vertically-disposed guide walls in line with the ribs on the roller and the rear portions of the slots are inclined in a transverse plane across the line of relative movement,movement of one part relative to the material being produced by the pressure of the other part acting on it through the interposed material.

22. A device for producing plaits in textile material by relative movement between thefdevice andthe material'in the direction of the lengths of the plaits, said device comprising in combination two independent parts which haveno mechanical connection with each other whereof the under one comprises a channelled roller and rearwardly-extending guide tongues in line with channels on a roller in the companion part, and the companion part comprises a channelled'roller, a pressing surface in rear of said roller, and a'slotted guide element interposed between the roller and the pressing surface, whereof the leading portions of the slots present vertically-disposed guide-walls in line with the ribs of the roller and the rear portions ofthe. slots A are inclined in a transverse plane across the the other part acting on it through the interposed material. v Y

23. A-device for producing plaits in textile material by relative movement between the device and the material in'the direction of the lengths of the plaits, said device compris-- ing in combination two independent'parts which have no mechanical connection with each other whereof the under one comprises a channelled roller and rearwar'dly-extending guide tongues in line with the channels on a roller in the companion'part and the comp anion part comprises a channelled roller, a pressing surface in rear of said roller, and between the rollerv and pressing surface there are forwardly-extending tongues in line with and adjacent the ribs on the roller and behind the tongues a slotted guide-member whereof the slots are inclined across the line of relative movement, movement of one part relative to the material being produced by the pressure of the other part acting on it through the interposed material. 7

24. A device for producing plaitsin textile material by relative movement between the device and the material in the direction of the lengths of the plaits, said devicecomprising in combination two independent parts which have no mechanical connection with each 1 nels on a roller in the companion part, and

the companion part comprises a sheet metal casing in which is supported achannelled roller, whereof the ribs enter channels in the first-named roller, forwardly-extending guide-tongues adjacentthe ribs of the secondmentioned roller,.a guide-member having in it slots that are inclined across the line of said relative movement and constitute continuations of the spacesbe'tween the forwardly-extending guide-tongues, and a pressing surface in 'rear of said inclined slots, movement of one part relative to the material be-' ing produced by the pressure of the other part acting on it through the interposed material. r

V 25. A device for producing plaits in textile material by relative movement between the device and the material in the direction of the lengths of the plaits, said device comprising in combination two independent parts channels on a roller in the companion part, and the companion part comprises a sheet metal casing in which is supported a channelled roller whereof the ribs enter channels in the first-named roller, forwardly-extend ing guide-tongues adjacent the ribs ofthe second-mentioned roller, a guide-member having in it slots that are inclined across the line of said relative movement and constitute continuations of the spaces between the forwardly-extending guide-tongues, a pressing surface in rear of said inclined slots, and an extension from the casing of said companion part that projects forwardly to overhang an abutment at; the forward end of. the first-named part and is so shaped as to guide and assist in the tensioning of the material as'it is led between the two parts, movement of one part relative to the material being produced by the pressure of the other partacting on it through the interposed material.

26. A device for producing plaits in textile material by relative movement between the device and the material in'the direction of the lengthsof the plaits, said device comprising in combination two parts which are to be applied respectively to opposite sides of the material, cooperating channeled rollers one 7 in each part, whereof an annular rib on one 1 roller is adapted to enter a channel in the companion roller, a guide to maintain a fold of the material in the channel of said latter roller, means thereafter to overturn the upstanding fold of material so formed duringthe said relative movement, and a presser surface on one of said parts located to press on said overturned folds during the aforesaid relative movement.

' In testimony whereof we havesigned our 40 names to this specification.

MARY HAMILTON. GERALD JOHN SUTTON. 

